The information on this website is not intended for diagnosis or treatment. Please consult your physician for health concerns.

+90 850 321 50 00

Hypothermia — Emergency Treatment

Drop of core body temperature below 35 °C requires gradual rewarming and cardiac monitoring.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Last updated:

This content has been compiled by the Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board and is periodically reviewed by a specialist physician.

References (5)

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Acil Servis department. Book Appointment →

What is Hypothermia — Emergency Treatment?

Hypothermia is defined as a decrease in core body temperature below 35 °C. It is classified as mild (32–35 °C), moderate (28–32 °C) and severe (<28 °C).

Cold exposure, immersion in cold water, alcohol intoxication, hypothyroidism, sepsis and exposure in trauma patients are the most common causes.

Severe hypothermia provokes ventricular fibrillation; the patient is not declared dead until rewarming has been performed ("a patient is not dead until warm and dead").

Symptoms

Cold, pale skin
Shivering (early stage; disappears below 30 °C)
Confusion, dysarthria, drowsiness
Bradycardia, hypotension
Muscle stiffness and slowed reflexes
Atrial fibrillation, J wave on ECG (Osborn wave)
Coma, apnoea (severe stage)

Risk Factors

Prolonged cold exposure (homelessness, mountaineering)
Immersion in cold water
Alcohol or sedative intoxication
Hypothyroidism, hypopituitarism, hypoadrenalism
Severe trauma and major bleeding
Older age and infants
Diabetes mellitus and hypoglycaemia

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Call 112 immediately for any patient with depressed consciousness and core temperature below 35 °C
  • All severe hypothermia (<28 °C) cases require admission to the intensive care unit
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation must be continued until rewarming has been achieved
  • Bystander warming alone is not sufficient; emergency transport is required

Treatment Methods

01
Removal of wet clothing and dry, warm blanket coverage
02
Passive external rewarming (mild hypothermia)
03
Active external rewarming (warm air blanket, warmed IV fluids)
04
Active internal rewarming (warm gastric/peritoneal/pleural lavage) for severe cases
05
Extracorporeal life support (ECMO) or cardiopulmonary bypass (in cardiac arrest)
06
Continuous ECG monitoring and avoidance of arrhythmogenic medications

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Acil Servis department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Learn About Acil Servis Department

Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

Book AppointmentContact Us

Related Health Topics

Other articles from the same department you may want to explore.

Heart Attack First Aid

Acil Servis

Quick recognition and an emergency call in a heart attack dramatically improve the chance of survival.

Stroke Symptoms and FAST Test

Acil Servis

The FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) test is the most practical method for early detection of stroke.

Anaphylaxis (Anaphylactic Shock)

Acil Servis

Anaphylaxis is a severe systemic allergic reaction; epinephrine injection and 112 are the most critical initial interventions.

Respiratory Failure

Acil Servis

Respiratory failure is a life-threatening state characterized by low blood oxygen or rising carbon dioxide.

Poisoning First Aid

Acil Servis

In poisoning, identifying the correct substance and knowing when not to induce vomiting is critical.

Burn Treatment and First Aid

Acil Servis

Emergency treatment for burns varies by degree and extent, starting with cooling and extending to specialist care.

Head Trauma First Aid

Acil Servis

Regardless of the impact severity in head trauma, emergency neurological evaluation is mandatory if there is any change in consciousness.

Emergency Assessment of Chest Pain

Acil Servis

In a patient with chest pain, ECG and cardiac biomarkers rapidly help to distinguish heart attack and pulmonary embolism from other causes.

Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.